I-565 could be 6 lanes from I-65 to Wall Triana Highway in 5 years

View full sizeThe first phase of widening Interstate 565 to six lanes will be between Interstate 65 and Greenbrier Road. The second phase will be between Greenbrier Road and County Line Road, which is shown here in a Feb. 3, 2010 photo. The final phase will be between County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway.(The Huntsville Times/File photo)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Local leaders have long had a six-lane Interstate 565 between Interstate 65 and Wall Triana Highway on their wish list.

The proposed schedule has construction starting on the first phase in 2014 and starting on the final phase in 2015.

The I-565 widening was in the MPO's Year 2035 Transportation plan, but there was no money slotted for it.

The Alabama Department of Transportation asked that the project be moved into the FY 2012-15 Transportation Improvement Program with the DOT pledging $53 million in federal and state highway money for the work.

The DOT made the request because it expects that the additional lanes will be needed for future development in Limestone County, said Steve Dinges, an assistant director of the Huntsville Planning Department who oversees transportation planning.

"They anticipate that if a big plant goes into that area, they will need more access on I-565 and I-65," Dinges said.

The highway also has some existing bottlenecks during morning and afternoon rush hours when commuters are going to and from Decatur and points beyond, Dinges said.

At least two automobile manufacturers have considered a 1,500-acre tract in the Greenbrier area for a new plant, and the city is waiting to learn if the Tennessee Valley Authority will designate the property as a megasite for industrial development.

The city also has a master plan for more than 9,000 acres in Limestone County that the city annexed in 2008. The plan designates different parts of the annexed area for industrial, commercial and residential development.

The first phase of widening I-565 will be between I-65 and Greenbrier Road. Preliminary engineering is slated for 2013 at a cost of $800,000. Construction would start in 2014 and cost $15.7 million.

The next phase will be between Greenbrier Road and the Madison County line. Preliminary engineering would be done in 2014 at a cost of $1 million and construction costing $19.6 million would start in 2015.

The final phase will be from the county line to the existing six-lane east of Wall Triana Highway. Preliminary engineering is scheduled for 2013 at a cost of $800,000. Construction would start in 2015 and cost $15.1 million.

I-565 would be six lanes the entire distance in 2017 if construction starts on the final phase in 2015.

"Yes, I think they are," Dinges said when asked if he thinks the state will stick to the proposed schedule. "They already have the right of way."

The DOT will coordinate the I-565 widening plans and the plans for the County Line Road and I-565 interchange that is scheduled to start construction in February, Johnny Harris, the DOT's division engineer for this area, said at Wednesday's MPO meeting.

Nance, Capshaw paving

Motorists should find alternative routes or expect delays Monday if they travel through the Nance and Capshaw roads intersection, a Madison County news release said.

The intersection will be open Monday while crews pave the intersection, but motorists can expect delays between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the news release said.

To leave a comment or question about traffic or roads, contact Keith Clines at 256-532-4236, email keith.clines@htimes.com, tweet @KeithClines or fax 256-532-4420.